Now Archived: HHS/ED Joint Policy Statement on Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs and the Role of UCEDDs

Archived Recording

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Tuesday, May 26, 20154:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET Location: Webinar

Webinar Description:

The US Departments of Education and Health and Human Services will be issuing in June a joint policy statement on inclusion of children with disabilities, including developmental disabilities, in early childhood inclusion programs. The goal is to provide recommendations to states and communities to increase inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs. Attend this webinar to learn more about the joint policy statement and to engage in a discussion of how the UCEDDs can strategically disseminate this policy statement to the field.

Can the UCEDD/LEND leverage that to promote the joint policy statement?

What can the UCEDDs/LENDs do as a national network to promote the joint policy statement?

Presenter: Jennifer Johnson, EdD

Dr. Jennifer Johnson is Director of the Office of Program Support at the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This Office is responsible for the coordination, oversight, management and evaluation of three national grant programs authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000: The State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, the Protection and Advocacy Systems, and the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities grant programs. Prior to joining AIDD, Dr. Johnson worked at The George Washington University on a variety special projects, including those related to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She also served as an Adjunct Lecturer teaching master's level coursework in research methodology and public policy. She has consulted to a variety of national organizations providing expertise on issues related to special education, early childhood, disabilities, and research design. Dr. Johnson earned her doctorate in special education from the George Washington University.

Presenter: Shantel Meek, PhD

Shantel Meek serves as a Policy Advisor for Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). During her time in the Obama Administration, Dr. Meek has advised the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development on wide array of policy issues including parent and family engagement; expulsion, suspension and discipline; supporting young children with disabilities and developmental delays; and promoting children's cognitive, social-emotional and behavioral development across early childhood programs. Prior to her work at HHS, Dr. Meek conducted research focused on parenting, school readiness, and children's social-emotional development, with an emphasis on young children with developmental disabilities and young dual language learners in Head Start programs. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Meek previously served as a Clinical Interventionist for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, where she worked one-on-one with children, taught in an inclusive toddler classroom, implemented educational consultation and inclusion support services at public schools, and trained families and paraprofessionals on evidence-based strategies to support the development of young children with ASD. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University.

Please Note:

There is NO cost for this webinar.

CEUs are not offered for this webinar.

For disability accommodations email Anna Costalas or call 301-588-8252 a minimum of five days in advance.